unworthy

adjective

un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
1
a
: lacking in excellence or value : poor, worthless
2
: not meritorious : undeserving
unworthy of attention
3
: not deserved : unmerited
unworthy treatment
4
: inappropriate to one's condition or station
actions unworthy of a gentleman
unworthily adverb
unworthiness noun

Examples of unworthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dispersion can also make targets unworthy of engagement. Stephen Biddle, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2023 No position, however controversial, was unworthy of examination. James Gray, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2023 The absence reflects an unspoken stigma: Regional Mexican is considered unsophisticated music for the masses and, therefore, unworthy of a win in the Big Four categories. Leila Cobo, Billboard, 14 July 2023 So instead of acting surprised, guilty, or unworthy when new opportunities arrive, why not greet them lovingly? Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2023 Be The First To Extend Trust As cliché as this sounds, trust is typically extended to someone and then proven worthy or unworthy by the other party. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023 Prospective employees could easily be written off as unworthy of further investment as leaders tighten budgets and try to increase efficiency. Amber Burton, Fortune, 26 July 2023 The acting is stellar, but after a strong start the story devolves into melodrama, with a climax and conclusion that are unworthy of what came before. Dallasnews.com Staff, Dallas News, 13 July 2023 Advocates for unhoused people say they are often treated as disposable or unworthy of society's protections. Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 4 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unworthy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unworthy was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near unworthy

Cite this Entry

“Unworthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unworthy. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

unworthy

adjective
un·​wor·​thy ˌən-ˈwər-t͟hē How to pronounce unworthy (audio)
ˈən-
: lacking in excellence or worth : undeserving
unworthily adverb
unworthiness noun

Legal Definition

unworthy

adjective
un·​wor·​thy
: not meritorious
specifically, in the civil law of Louisiana : being or relating to an heir who is deprived of the right to inherit from a person because of a failure in a duty towards the person
unworthiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unworthy

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